Doubletree Hotels Makes Sweet Return to Downtown Chicago

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Doubletree Hotels is proud to announce its sweet return to downtown Chicago with the opening of the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile. More than $21 million has been invested in the former Chicago City Centre Hotel & Sports Club to present visitors and residents of downtown Chicago with 500 redesigned guestrooms, a refreshed lobby and public space, an updated outdoor pool and sun deck and a street-facing Einstein's Bagels™ store. The massive renovation project, which includes the debut of a unique restaurant concept later this fall, brings a distinctively urban residential feel to the hotel while celebrating its Streeterville neighborhood roots. The Doubletree is just a ten-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park and a short taxi ride to all of the sights and sounds of Windy City.

The Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile is operated by CCC Hotel, LLC, a subsidiary of The Chartres Lodging Group under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation. The Doubletree will be managed by Kokua Hospitality, LLC.

"Doubletree is proud to return to one of the most dynamic city center locations in the world with the refreshing and contemporary hotel experience that the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile will offer to today's business and leisure travelers," said Dave Horton, senior vice president – brand management for Doubletree Hotels. "From Chicago to Milan to Beijing and beyond, this newest hotel opening reinforces an aggressive worldwide expansion plan of the Doubletree brand, where we anticipate opening as many as 30 upscale, full-service hotels during 2008."

Opening day activities today to commemorate the sweet return of Doubletree to downtown Chicago included a 2,008 Doubletree chocolate chip cookie salute of the brand's fresh-baked, signature treats to visitors and passers-by of the hotel as a delicious symbol of its dedication to hospitality.

To complement the collection of upgraded guestrooms, visitors this summer to the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile can stay cool, comfortable and relaxed at the hotel's expansive outdoor pool and sun deck that presents a tranquil oasis with stunning skyline views. A delicious, new poolside snack bar, H20, will also be ready for summer guests to enhance the fun in the sun. Every Thursday night through the end of August, guests can enjoy dive-in movies which provide a fun option to float and enjoy some fun summer flicks.

Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile guests also can enjoy complimentary access to the 65,000-square-foot Lakeshore Athletic Club within the hotel complex – one of the most comprehensive fitness facilities in the area. Einstein Bros® Bagels will provide fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings at its street front location.

When the entire hotel enhancement project is completed this fall, the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile will offer 17,000 square feet of newly redesigned meeting space filled with key technology and comforts, including state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, a fine array of catering options and a dedicated convention services team. Each of the 13 meeting rooms will provide both wireless and wired high-speed internet access. A vivid urban design theme will infuse the lobby and lobby bar with iconic 50s-inspired lighting and seductive grey wall coverings, while a dramatic new hotel entrance and porte cochere will offer a stunning welcome. The arrival of a fresh, new urban dining destination being designed by The Puccini Group of San Francisco will entice locals and visitors alike with its eye-catching design and appealing cuisine.

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program may earn Points & Miles® for stays at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile. Hilton HHonors is the only hotel rewards program that allows any of its members to reap Double Dip® earnings by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points for stays at more than 3,000 hotels worldwide. And with No Blackout Dates, as long as a standard room is available, members can confirm that room using their HHonors points.

"This is an exciting time for our hotel team at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile as we introduce the first phase of a refreshed and renewed hotel experience to business and leisure travelers in the epicenter of one of Chicago's more desirable neighborhoods," said Birgit Radin, hotel managing director. "Not only will our guests now receive rewards with one of the best travel reward programs in the industry, they will be warmly welcomed with the delicious, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie that is distinctively Doubletree."

Located within a six-block radius of famed Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Millennium Park , Northwestern University, the Art Institute of Chicago, Rush Street entertainment district and much more, the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile is the natural place to stay whether you are enjoying the Windy City for a weekend or enjoying an extended visit. The Doubletree is located at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Ohio Street at 300 Ohio Street, Chicago, Ill. 60611. For more information on the Doubletree Hotel Magnificent Mile, visit the hotel's website at chicagomagnificentmile.doubletree.com, call l-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada or contact the hotel directly at 312-787-6100.

About The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC

The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC (formerly Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC) is an investment and advisory firm focused on the investment, asset management and renovation of high-quality lodging assets. Chartres Lodging Group's principals have been responsible for more than $8 billion of lodging investments and have asset-managed more than 100 upscale and luxury hotels, resorts and conference centers. The firm is currently responsible for a $5-billion, 15,600-room portfolio of luxury and upscale hotels, conference centers and resorts located throughout the United States and Japan. Chartres' principals and employees are direct investors in 65% of this portfolio. Chartres Lodging is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Tokyo. For more information on The Chartres Lodging Group, please visit www.chartreslodging.com.

About Kokua Hospitality, LLC

Kokua Hospitality is a property management firm affiliated with The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, of San Francisco. Purposely created by lodging management and operational experts as a management company with an investors' sensibility, Kokua Hospitality blends the attention to detail of a customer service entity with the rigors of a real estate investment concern. The name (pronounced "koh-koohah") is Hawaiian for "to serve." Based in San Francisco, Kokua Hospitality manages a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts nationwide. For more information on Kokua Hospitality, please visit www.kokuahospitality.com.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 74 countries, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection™.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com.

About Doubletree Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in nearly 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America and an aggressive hotel development campaign around the world, Doubletree Hotels, Guest Suites and Resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors® guest reward program, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers may contact their preferred travel professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada or visit our website at www.doubletree.com.

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